noun
lowly people; humble people; outcaste
Historical term for people of low social status, especially in the context of Japan's former caste system. Often refers to the 穢多 (eta) and 非人 (hinin) classes. In modern usage, it may appear in historical or sociological discussions.
江戸時代には、賤民と呼ばれる身分の人々がいた。
In the Edo period, there were people of a status called 'senmin' (lowly people).
この歴史書は賤民の生活について詳しく述べている。
This history book describes the lives of the outcastes in detail.
From Middle Chinese-derived kanji 賤 (lowly, humble) and 民 (people). The term was used historically in East Asian societies to denote low-status groups, and in Japan it became associated with the outcaste classes of the Edo period.